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Buddhism: A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself
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Covering all aspects of this fascinating faith, from the teachings of the Buddha to the practicalities of pursuing a Buddhist way of life, Buddhism - an Introduction is an informative and accessible introduction to this major world religion. Learn about the origins of Buddhism, its place in society today and the challenges it faces for the future.
Buddhism: A Complete Introduction includes:
Chapter 1: Buddhists and Buddhism
Who are Buddhists?
The Three Jewels
The Three Refuges
Buddhist Practice
In conclusion
Chapter 2: The life of the Buddha
The Buddha's significance
The Four Sights
Going forth
Self-mortification
The enlightenment
Turning the wheel of the dharma
The mission
The growth of the Sangha
Paranirvana
In conclusion
Chapter 3: The Buddha's teaching
The first Nobel Truth: all is suffering (dukkha)
The second Noble Truth: the origins of suffering (samudaya)
The third Noble Truth: the cessation of suffering (nirodha)
The fourth Noble Truth: the path to the cessation of suffering (magga)
Chapter 4: Buddhist scriptures and schools
The Theravada Scriptures
The Mahayana Scriptures
Pure Land Buddhism
The Ch'an and Zen Schools
The Tibetan Scriptures
In conclusion
Chapter 5: Meditation and devotion
1 Mind and heart
2 Heart and mind
3 Devotion as homage
4 Salvific devotion
In conclusion
Chapter 6: Ethical conduct
Sila skilfulness
The practicality of buddhist ethics
Working on yourself and others
The precepts and the dharma
Renunciation
In conclusion
Chapter 7: Moral Issues
The natural world
Human society
In conclusion
Chapter 8: The social order
Ordination
Celibacy
Weddings and marriages
Family life
Death and dying
In conclusion
Chapter 9: Festivals and ceremonies
Theravada festivals
Tibetan festivals
Japanese and Chinese festivals
Western Buddhist festivals
In conclusion
Chapter 10: Budhist today: East and West
The spread of Buddhism
Buddhism in India
The revival of Buddhism
Buddhism in South-East Asia
Missionary activity
Tibetan Buddhism
Buddhism in the West
In conclusion
Chapter 11: Transition, adaptation and influence: prospects for Buddhism in the twenty-first century
Into the twenty-first century
Views from the West
Transmitting Buddhism to a new generation
In conclusion
Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features:Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.
Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.
Test yourself
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.
Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of psychology.
Five things to remember
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.
Try this
Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.
Covering all aspects of this fascinating faith, from the teachings of the Buddha to the practicalities of pursuing a Buddhist way of life, Buddhism - an Introduction is an informative and accessible introduction to this major world religion. Learn about the origins of Buddhism, its place in society today and the challenges it faces for the future.
Buddhism: A Complete Introduction includes:
Chapter 1: Buddhists and Buddhism
Who are Buddhists?
The Three Jewels
The Three Refuges
Buddhist Practice
In conclusion
Chapter 2: The life of the Buddha
The Buddha's significance
The Four Sights
Going forth
Self-mortification
The enlightenment
Turning the wheel of the dharma
The mission
The growth of the Sangha
Paranirvana
In conclusion
Chapter 3: The Buddha's teaching
The first Nobel Truth: all is suffering (dukkha)
The second Noble Truth: the origins of suffering (samudaya)
The third Noble Truth: the cessation of suffering (nirodha)
The fourth Noble Truth: the path to the cessation of suffering (magga)
Chapter 4: Buddhist scriptures and schools
The Theravada Scriptures
The Mahayana Scriptures
Pure Land Buddhism
The Ch'an and Zen Schools
The Tibetan Scriptures
In conclusion
Chapter 5: Meditation and devotion
1 Mind and heart
2 Heart and mind
3 Devotion as homage
4 Salvific devotion
In conclusion
Chapter 6: Ethical conduct
Sila skilfulness
The practicality of buddhist ethics
Working on yourself and others
The precepts and the dharma
Renunciation
In conclusion
Chapter 7: Moral Issues
The natural world
Human society
In conclusion
Chapter 8: The social order
Ordination
Celibacy
Weddings and marriages
Family life
Death and dying
In conclusion
Chapter 9: Festivals and ceremonies
Theravada festivals
Tibetan festivals
Japanese and Chinese festivals
Western Buddhist festivals
In conclusion
Chapter 10: Budhist today: East and West
The spread of Buddhism
Buddhism in India
The revival of Buddhism
Buddhism in South-East Asia
Missionary activity
Tibetan Buddhism
Buddhism in the West
In conclusion
Chapter 11: Transition, adaptation and influence: prospects for Buddhism in the twenty-first century
Into the twenty-first century
Views from the West
Transmitting Buddhism to a new generation
In conclusion
Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features:Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.
Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.
Test yourself
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.
Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of psychology.
Five things to remember
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.
Try this
Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.
- GenresBuddhismPhilosophy
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2015
10 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 29, 2018
Everyone knows the word Buddhism, but not what it refers to exactly. This book is the perfect way to be introduced to the subject clearly. However, it gets very complex pretty quickly; all the terms that are in Sanskrit sound very unfamiliar and therefore it is hard to memorize the concept behind them. The more you get into the book, the more everything is mixed and so if you are reading this just for curiosity, it can be hard to follow, remember, understand. I kept plenty of inspiring quotes, and the fact that little stories were placed as examples really helped understanding the reasoning, illustrated in a poetic metaphoric way. I do not think I had the motivation and the concentration to get everything right and memorized but I am glad I know it more about the Buddhism and now I can appreciate it better.
April 2, 2022
An introduction to Buddhism- this is not a religious text but a non-fiction explaining origin, history, basic doctrine and prospect role of Buddhism in contemporary life.
I enjoyed reading Sanskrit words- many of Korean Buddhist terms are phonic translation of Sanskrit or Chinese adapted Sanskrit. Reading original Sanskrit terms brought odd sensation- both exotic and so familiar.
"The Buddha's path is simple and meant for ordinary people, and anyone with good will and determination can follow its steps toward freedom of heart and mind. Both heart and mind have to be involved in this journey toward liberation from the 'self'. The mind understands and concludes, connects and discerns, whereas the heart feels."
"I think in Buddhism, these two cannot be separated. To mediate is to be aware of what is going on in yourself and the world. If you know what is going on, how can you avoid acting to change the situation?"
I enjoyed reading Sanskrit words- many of Korean Buddhist terms are phonic translation of Sanskrit or Chinese adapted Sanskrit. Reading original Sanskrit terms brought odd sensation- both exotic and so familiar.
"The Buddha's path is simple and meant for ordinary people, and anyone with good will and determination can follow its steps toward freedom of heart and mind. Both heart and mind have to be involved in this journey toward liberation from the 'self'. The mind understands and concludes, connects and discerns, whereas the heart feels."
"I think in Buddhism, these two cannot be separated. To mediate is to be aware of what is going on in yourself and the world. If you know what is going on, how can you avoid acting to change the situation?"
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews